Poetry, Parties And More Abound Around Pine Area

PINE-STRAWBERRY

It sure feels a lot like spring up here in the Rim country. The trees are budding and daffodils and crocuses are popping up. Hopefully we will get some snow before too long, lots of it. It sure would be nice to get a fruit crop this year.

Poet gathering

The Pine Poets' Society monthly gathering is tonight, Friday, at Looking Glass Books in Pine, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited. You can read your own work, a favorite of another poet, or just listen. Short prose is welcome as well. For more information, call (928) 476-4771.

Used book sale

The Pine Library Friends used book sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, in the Cultural Hall of the Pine Community Center. Craft items will also be for sale. Come take a look.

Mardi Gras

Strawberry's Elite Mardi Gras celebration was postponed and now has been rescheduled for this Saturday, March 20 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The group hopes that by having the event on Saturday instead of the usual Sunday, it will give weekenders a chance to attend. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. Jambalaya, Chicken Mamou and Red Beans and Rice are on the menu.

Artisans closing

Pine Artisans is closing its doors. Mary Landy invites everyone for her final social event Saturday evening, March 20, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. This gallery and Mary will be greatly missed in this community. This is the opportunity for all of us to say goodbye and thank you to Mary. See you there.

Story time

Children's Story Time at Looking Glass Books is Saturday, March 27 at 10:30 a.m. Disney's Lion King is the subject of the readings. Participants will be making animal masks for the art project. Story time is geared to children 3 to 6, but all children are welcome.

Festival craft booths available

The Strawberry Festival Committee is still accepting craft booths for the festival, which is June 12 and 13 in Strawberry. For a booth application or more information, call Pat at the Chamber of Commerce office in Payson, (928) 474-4515. There will also be a poster contest again this year. Watch for more details.

Water meeting

An informational public water meeting will be held on Saturday, March 27 at 10:30 a.m. at the Pine Community Center sponsored by Citizens for an Adequate Water Supply.

Community makeovers

Some very important updating and modernization will be going on in Pine in the next few weeks. Please make note of schedule changes. The Strawberry Schoolhouse is also undergoing some restoration. Watch for changes.

The Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library in Pine is installing a library automation system. Lots of great changes will be coming soon, but for now the staff and volunteers need to learn the new system. Because of training, the library hours are somewhat limited. March 23 to 26, hours will be 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday hours remain the same, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Pine-Strawberry Museum is installing a new furnace and air conditioning system. This new, efficient system will replace an antiquated system and will provide a more suitable environment for museum displays. This building also houses the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce and the visitor center. This facility will be closed through Sunday, March 21. Visitors are urged to visit the chamber office and visitors' center in Payson at the corner of Highway 87 and Main during the closure in Pine.

Work is under way on the new mini-park area being developed in Pine. The original old tiny library has been moved to a on the east side of Highway 87, across from the community center and it is being restored. Trees and shrubs have been planted and soon the picnic tables will arrive. Watch for word of an opening celebration.

Book group

Don't forget OneBookAZ. This is a statewide program where all Arizonans are encouraged to read the same book and discuss it. The book being discussed is "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. The Pine program on the book will be at the library, Tuesday, April 20, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Several copies of the book and audio versions are available at the library.

Please provide information for this column regarding upcoming events, activities and items of interest to residents and visitors of Pine and Strawberry. Call or fax (928) 476-2239 or e-mail cpwrather@earthlink.net.